International Barefoot Running Day

A plug for International Barefoot Running Day on May 1, 2011 as well as my little plug for fundraising.

For those who are not familiar, International Barefoot Running Day events will be held all around the country and the world.  Check out the Barefoot Runners Society website and click on the IBRD tab at the top to find an event near you! 

On May 1, 2011, I will be running as part of team "Barefoot Runners Society" in the Workday Devil Mountain Run in Danville, CA.  I will be running the 10K barefoot.  Our team is participating as part of our International Barefoot Running Day as well as raising funds for a great cause - Children's Hospital Oakland.  Our team goal is to raise $5000.  I'd like to see our team surpass that goal.  With your help we can do that!  Any amount is appreciated no matter how big or small.  It all goes to a great cause.  Please consider a donation in support of our team's efforts to help the Children's Hospital. 

Thank you.

"Barefoot Terry"

Go to the link below and click on "Support Terry"

http://chfo.convio.net/site/TR/Run/General?px=1144310&pg=personal&fr_id=1140

(NOTE:  If you're in the Greater San Francisco Bay Area/Sacramento or Central Valley, consider joining our Chapter and maybe even join us at our race.  More info can be found at the BRS site.  See the California - San Francisco Area Chapter.  Thanks!

BRS Group Run (Consumnes River Preserve)

On the morning of March 6th, I headed out to meet with fellow barefoot runners from the SF Area Chapter of the Barefoot Runners Society at the Consumnes River Preserve for a group run.  The no-show rain that had been forecast earlier in the week finally made its appearance.  During the 20-minute drive out to the preserve there was a steady rain.  Upon arriving at the preserve, I noted only one vehicle and it was parked on the roadside not in the visitor parking area.  As I pulled up I noticed why - the gate was still locked.  I hopped out of my truck and walked over to the other car.  It turned out to be Running Romeo.

Since we were both a little early for the run, we decided to take shelter and chat to get to know one another - not to mention, the rain was still a steady drizzle.  We chatted about our paths toward barefoot running and stories about barefoot races we had run.  After talking awhile, we noticed the rain had let up.  We decided to leave our cars parked alongside the road and head over to the trail.

A short hike across the locked parking lot and a bridge and the trail began.  The trail started out very slick.  The dirt here was likely hard pack.  The surface was glistening wet and slick as ice.  We managed to get moving down the trail with one or both of us slipping and sliding at any given moment trying not to eat the trail.  The prediction - at least one of us would kiss the ground before the run was over.

As we headed down the trail, things got better - the mud got deeper!  The trail was fantastically barefoot friendly.  Even if there had been no mud the trail would have been all dirt and grass.  There were virtually no rocks to speak of the entire run. 

The preserve trails were undergoing some maintenance due to flooding and other maintenance repairs, so the plans for a 4-mile, figure-8 loop run that I had envisioned were shot.  However, the mud was so AWESOME that it really didn't matter where we were running!  We ran south about a mile to a gate across the trail, backtracked our way to a levee path, then east toward the railroad tracks and then south again.  Another closed trail.  No worries.  Why?  We had to backtrack through a fantastically flooded mud "pond" - EVEN BETTER!  We continued north to the wheelchair accessible paved path and ran that out and back.  Back to the mud!  We reached the levee path again, we had put on about 3 miles or so and we decided it would be about time to head back - then it happened.  Someone kissed the mud!  (The identity of the mud kissing runner shall remain nameless to protect the innocent.) ;)

No problem, up and running again all the way back to the bridge.  We rinsed our feet in various puddles as we trekked our way across the parking lot.  Just as we reached our cars, two other cars arrived to unlock the gate!  Oh well!

Thanks, Running Romeo for a great run!  Hope to catch you again soon on the road or trail!

Mercedes Barefoot Runner Commercial

Mercedes Barefoot Runner Commercial

Hey all!  Enjoy this new commercial from Mercedes featuring a barefoot runner!

Call of the Wild

This past week I took a small group of students up to science camp for 3 days of fun in the coastal mountains north of San Francisco.  It was supposed to be raining the entire time we were there, but instead we were pleasantly surprised with sunny, warm days.  Now, it has been six and a half weeks without running due to a bad cough and pulled intercostal muscles.  My body has been screaming to go for a run for a while now.  On day 2 of the camp, we went for a hike through the gorgeous redwood forest.  Almost the entire time I was scanning the trail imagining how great it would feel on my feet - all the soft needles, the mud, the leaves.  In my hometown, there are basically NO trails to run.  I could hardly stand it.  I could have stripped off my hiking boots and just walked the trail barefoot, but I'm not sure if that would have been the best role-model for my students (considering I'm responsible for their health and well-being while they are away from their parents). 

By the time we got back from the hike my body was dying to go for a run.  I asked our naturalist if there was any "camp rules" about running the trails.  She said no.  That was pretty much all I needed to hear.  I decided that an early morning trail run was going to happen.  I informed the other chaperone that of my plans for the next morning.

Our first morning at the camp was very quiet, but that second morning the natives in the cabin were quite restless.  I laid in my bunk contemplating the chill of the morning and whether it was light enough yet.  Finally, I just committed and got up, threw on some sweat pants, my beanie hat and headed out the door. 

The first quarter mile or so was easy, nice smooth asphalt.  The water streaming across the roadway in a few places was quite cold, but refreshing.  Then I hit the trailhead - FANTASTIC!  Up the hillside I ran.  There was a spot just up the trail where we had experimented in making animal tracks in the deep mud.  Well, I smiled as I planted my 10 toes right up the middle of the mud and standing water wondering if the next group of kids would notice that there were footprints that did not belong to a four-legged creature.

Then, just beyond the wonderfully soft mud it got tough!  This trail is actually more of an access road - nice and wide - but covered in some serious gravel in places.  I had noticed the gravel the day before, but thought it was more manageable than it turned out to be.  I hobbled along trying to find the best places to put my feet.  Not terrible, just hmm more technical than I had planned. 

Beyond this point, it was better.  I mixed my running between the center of the path and along the edge.  The edge had nice cool, wet leaves from fall and grass.  The one problem was that the grass and leaves tended to hide larger rocks.  I made it down to the creek access and decided it was best to start heading back - the natives would be waking soon. 

As I reached our cabin, I came across a couple of people who gave me a bit of an odd look.  I just smiled and headed in.

When I entered the cabin, one of my students was awake and began to question me.  The conversation went something like this:

Student:  "Where did you go?"
Me:  "I went for a run."
Student:  "But you don't have shoes."
Me:  "I know."
Student:  "Where?"
Me:  "Remember the place where we went to the creek yesterday.  There."
Student:  "Why'd you go there?"
Me:  "Because I don't know anywhere else to run."
Student:  "But you're not wearing any shoes."
Me:  "I know, that's how I run."
Student:  shrugs and his face says 'whatever'
I just laughed.


It was only a quick run.  Just a chance to experience a trail that I might not get to try again.  A mile to mile and a half at best, but I could not resist the temptation of the Call of the Wild.

Upcoming Runs and other stuff

So, after 5 and a half weeks of a pain in the ass, hacking cough.  I think it's finally on its way out.  I've had to ditch my plan to run the Diablo Trails Challenge 50K Ultramarathon in March.  I lost way too many training miles to make that happen.

I've been focusing on getting the San Francisco Chapter of the Barefoot Runners Society  up and running with group runs.  Also, I've been looking for a place for our chapter to participate in the upcoming first annual International Barefoot Running Day on May 1, 2011.  I have a few ideas, so if you're in the area stay tuned for an update. 

The SF Chapter of BRS also has a new Facebook page so, check it out too if you're on Facebook.

On that note - BRS SF Chapter will be having a group run on March 6, 2011 at 9 a.m. at the Consumnes River Preserve.  On March 27, 2011 at 9 a.m. we will have another group run at the Crab Cove Visitor's Center in Alameda.  Come join us for a 3 to 5 mile run on either day.  Run barefoot, minimalist or even shod (if you're just curious and want to see what it's all about). 

Since I dropped my plans for the 50K run in March, I started looking around for other 50k ultras in the area.  I happened to pop onto Barefoot KenBob's website and found what was, in my opinion, the most AWESOME race I can think of - The "Born to Run Ultramarathon"!!!!  Unfortunately for me, I have more important family obligations that weekend, but I thought I'd let you all know about it.

The Born to Run Ultramarathon is a race being held in the mountains near Santa Barbara.  There are several races being held simultaneously - 100 mile, 100k, 50k, and 10 mile.  There will be a Barefoot Division!  To make things even better - Barefoot KenBob is the guest speaker the night before the race! Check it out if you are free the weekend of May 13- 15th.

Well, that's about all for now. . . I'm dying to get back on the road/trail again after my 5 week hiatus!  Will keep you posted about how things are going.

More bad news. . .

So, as I mentioned in a recent post on my blog, I've been sick with a horrible cough.  Well, it has lasted 3 weeks as of this Thursday (tomorrow).  The worst part is that I have strained, torn, or otherwise injured my intercostal muscles on the left side of my chest from the violent coughing fits that I have had.  For those who are unfamiliar, these are the muscles in between your ribs. 

I don't have bronchitis or pneumonia - just a mostly dry, hacking cough.  This injury is what put me out of running 3 years ago.  I took several months off to heal and then couldn't get back in the saddle on running.  Fortunately, my return to running led me to barefoot running. 

I haven't run in 3 weeks.  Tonight I was itching for a run.  I thought, I can run with a little rib pain.  Well, that lasted just over a half mile before I was back at my house.  An injured intercostal feels like a knife is stuck between your ribs.  It hurts to breathe, it hurts to cough, it hurts to lift your arm, and to try and run - well, it's very uncomfortable.

So, now that my cough is almost gone, I'm stuck with this stupid injury.  I'm worried that the time I need to take off will put me out of the Diablo Trails Challenge in March.  Fingers crossed, but I'm missing miles...

Stockton Half Marathon - A Newbie's First Barefoot Half Marathon

November 14, 2010 - While tossing and turning through the night wasn’t anything new to me the night before a race, this time the race was the Inaugural Stockton Half Marathon.  What was so different about this race?  Well, for starters, it was my first barefoot half marathon.  Additional stress was coming from the fact that this race was the first half marathon being held in my hometown, which meant that I would likely see friends both runners and spectators – some of whom I had trained with as a shod runner.  Lastly, I was racing alongside my brother-in-law, his girlfriend, and my mother.  Yep, my mother was racing too!  It was to be the first half marathon for all three of them.  

My biggest fear - A DNF, as a barefoot runner, in front of a hometown crowd.

My alarm clock blared at 5 a.m. not that I was asleep.  I got up, got dressed, and ate a breakfast of oatmeal and chia seeds.  Then I downed a glass of iskiate for good measure.  Surprisingly, the food helped to ease my nervous stomach.  You see, before all of my other big races, I never could stomach anything more than a little toast with peanut butter.  Double-checking that I had all my gear, I headed out.  I drove over to my mom’s house to pick her up and we headed over to the hotel near the starting line. 

As I exited my car, I immediately saw two of my former marathon training buddies.  They quickly noted my Vibrams to which I responded that I was only wearing them until the race start – pointing over to the line of port-a-potties.  They caught my drift.

My mom and I wandered over to the hotel and went inside where it was nice and warm.  Outside it was a chilly 40 degrees.  I had opted not to wear my running pants and instead was wearing shorts.  After about 15 minutes or so, my mom and I headed over to the area she was supposed to meet her training group for a photo op.   Her group never really materialized, so I posed with my mom for a quick pic for the local Fleet Feet owner. 

We wandered over to the starting line where we finally ran into my brother-in-law, Chris, and his girlfriend, Dez.  Dez was sporting a nice pair of Vibrams for the race.  By this point I had shed my own VFF KSOs and had them strapped to my water belt.  My mom had begun pointing out to the runners milling about at the start that I was barefoot and crazy.  Gee thanks for the support, Mom!

Now, I’ve run barefoot in cold weather – I had started last January.  However, I had never really stood around long on cold asphalt.  The ball of my left foot had started to feel a little numb and had the feeling as if I was standing on a small, smooth rock.  Fortunately the wait didn’t last too long.  The announcer came over the speakers for a few last minute announcements.  The start horn blew and we were off!

We all raced down the first street and I noted that I still had that lump-like feeling in my left foot.  I started to worry.  I had never felt this before.  I kept wondering if it would go away or if it would get worse as the race progressed.  As the herd approached the mile mark, I passed some more extended family members - more concern about a DNF in my hometown. 

As I rounded a turn close to mile 2, the odd knot in my foot seemed to disappear.  The group approached the University of the Pacific and the levee running path.  I crossed the footbridge into U.O.P. and saw others crossing back from the loop through the campus. I was starting to get in a groove. 

One of my fears about running through the campus was if the course might take us across cobblestone.  That fear turned out to be unfounded as we ran on the concrete sidewalks through the quad area.  However, upon my return to the footbridge it turned out there was not a second paved ramp up onto the bridge.  Instead there was a 20-foot uphill section of dirt and gravel.  I wasn’t greatly concerned since I had run a 10K trail run bare.  But I was worried that there could be a sharp rock or broken beer bottle (it was a college campus after all) that could put a quick end to my race.  I crossed without incident and made my way across the bridge and onto the levee road. 

Now I was in my element.  I had run this levee many, many times in training for shod races.  The levee road was rougher than the streets that I normally run, but still comfortable to run on. 

Along the way, an older gentleman asked me about the Surf City Marathon shirt I was wearing.  We started chatting about various races we had done.  He was on a mission to run a half marathon in every state.  He had done the Pike’s Peak half marathon (a future goal race of mine). 

As we ran along, a girl ran up alongside and asked, “Why are you running like that?” 

I laughed and explained briefly how barefoot running teaches you to run more efficiently and quickly added that it was fun too!  She dropped back to her running companions.

Not long later, the course dropped off the levee road and into town.  I was approaching mile 6.  Along the side of the course was a guardhouse for one of the gated communities in Stockton.  In front of the guardhouse a small crowd had gathered to cheer us runners on. 

As I passed the guardhouse, a man shouted, “Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!  Where are your shoes!!!” 

I looked at him, looked down at my feet, looked back at him and shouted, “Damn it, I knew I forgot something this morning!”

I continued down the road toward the intersection for the upcoming loop where my dad, my wife and kids were supposed to be watching the race.  As I crossed the intersection, I glanced through the small crowd – no sign of them.  Feeling a bit disappointed, I continued on down the road.  By now I was approaching mile 7 and really getting into a comfortable groove. 

As I was coming around the backside of the loop, a guy casually asked, “So, how does that feel?” 

I replied, “I’m feeling pretty good.”

Then I received the best compliment I’ve ever received about my running.

“You look like you could run all day like that!”

I was thrilled to hear that!  I really did feel like I could run all day like that.

My stride was smooth.  My arms were pumping smoothly.  My feet seemed to glide across the asphalt.  I felt as though I was extremely energy efficient.  It was like perfection. 

We continued to run and chat through the rest of the loop.   As we approached mile 9 and the intersection again, there was a long stretch of shattered glass that spanned about 25 yards.  I kept a measured stride and put my full concentration on clearing this obstacle course of glass. 

As we entered the intersection, I saw my kids playing around on camp chairs on the corner.  They were both fully distracted by things other than runners.  I shouted my kid’s names as I ran by, even lagging a bit trying to prolong the moment that I passed them.  They looked up as I passed and we waved to each other and I was off and running again. 

After passing through the intersection, we turned down the street that would lead us back toward the river levee.  This was the first of two major surface obstacles that I would face on this course.  This street was in the middle of a repaving.  The center of the street was beautiful, smooth, freshly paved asphalt.  The edges were scraped with long streaks of uneven, rough asphalt.  The cones marking the run vs. drive portions of the road were right along the dividing line of the new and old asphalt.  I tried running in the designated area for a few feet and decided that was definitely not a good idea.  So, for the stretch of road under construction I tried to straddle the “cone line” on the smooth asphalt watching for cars as I went.  When I had to, I would run on the rough stuff. 

I reached the levee frontage road, which was the end of the road construction.  In my mind, I was approaching the home stretch.  I was about at mile 10.  My feet felt great.  However, my legs were starting to feel a bit sluggish – my pace had dropped down to about 10:30/mile.  I redoubled my efforts and focused on my form.  This picked my pace back up to about a 9-minute mile.  The next two miles went pretty smooth. 

Nearing the 12-mile mark, I was back to the main street that took us out at the beginning.  However, something had changed.  We were not running on the main road on the way back in.  Instead we were on the winding walking path next to the roadway.  No big deal I thought.  Then it happened.  I crossed an intersection just beyond the 12-mile mark.  The pathway changed texture.  Instead of nice paved asphalt, the path was now horrifically paved chip seal.

Now, I’ve run on chip seal before.  It’s not always terrible.  It just is a bit more challenging and there is a bit more “sensation” coming through the feet. This chip seal was not that kind of chip seal.  The small rocks embedded in the asphalt were sharp and widely spaced.  This did not provide a decent surface in which to run barefoot.  So, I did what I had to do.   I ran on the grass alongside the path.  Doesn’t sound so bad?  Well, again, not ideal.  The grass was a good 6 to 7 inches high with very soft soil underneath.  It felt like running through dry sand at the beach -definitely not what you want to be running through on the last mile of a half marathon.  I slogged along until I reached the roadway at the end of the path.  By now my feet were caked with wet loose grass.  When I hit the roadway, I paused for a moment.  I had been carrying a water bottle that I had not used yet.  I popped the top and doused my feet shedding my “grass shoes”. 

Less than a half-mile to go!  I picked up the pace.  The two-hour mark was approaching fast.  Not going to be a PR, I thought.  Oh well, first barefoot half marathon - it’s a new kind of PR! 

I crossed the finish line, arms up in triumph and a smile.  I had done it.  A half marathon – barefoot!  Official results – 2:06:17, 20 out of 27 in my division, 285/638 overall. 

My mother, Chris, and Dez had somehow bumped into each other toward the end of the race.  They all finished their first half marathon at 3:13 with my son and daughter escorting them across the finish. 

Next stop, a barefoot marathon.